MAY 2008: JINGLES

Jingles is approximately a 6 year old, neutered, male Boxer residing at a local shelter. The rescue organization affiliated with the shelter brought Jingles to the hospital for an oral evaluation. Upon examination, it was decided that he would need some extensive dental work including a gingivectomy to reduce the extensive hyperplastic gingiva presiding along the majority of his teeth. A large, firm oral mass protruded from the base of the lower right canine (tooth # 404) He had a class 3 malocclusion, typical of his breed. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork was done which included a CBC and 12 chemistries. All values showed to be unremarkable. An intravenous IV catheter was placed and fluids would be run at normal surgery rates. Propofol was used for induction and he would be maintained on Isoflurane during the anesthesia episode.

A gingivectomy was performed to lessen the depth of the gingival pseudo pocketing along all 4 quadrants. The oral mass was removed using a small rongeurs due to the hardness of the tissues. It was thought to possibly be a bony type epulis or in other terms an "ossifying epulis". Now that the mass was removed, it left a large area of exposure along the buccal base of the canine surface. A mucoperiosteal flap was created and alveoloplasty, or removal and smoothing of bony tissue was performed and then the flap was extended to close the tissues around the canine tooth. Full mouth radiographs were taken to assess the teeth and a prophylaxis was performed with an ultrasonic scaler, hand instrumentation and finished with a polishing of a fine flour pumice slurry. Time would not allow any further treatment, so Jingles would be scheduled for a second procedure to address the teeth that would need extraction due to advanced periodontal disease. He would go back to the shelter on antibiotics and pain medication along with an oral mouth rinse. The follow up procedure would be scheduled in 1 month.

Picture #1 shows the extent of the gingival mass
Picture #2 shows the site post removal
Picture #3 shows the site post closure
Picture #4 shows the healed surgery site one month later